Reticence: meaning, definitions and examples

🤐

Add to dictionary

reticence

[ˈrɛtɪs(ə)ns ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

in communication

The quality of being reserved or reluctant in expressing thoughts or feelings.

Synonyms

hesitation, reluctance, reserve, restraint.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reticence	Appropriate in formal or academic situations to describe a tendency to be silent or not to reveal one's thoughts or feelings readily. Her reticence during the meeting made it difficult to gauge her opinion John's natural reticence is often mistaken for disinterest
reserve	Used to describe a person who is calm, controlled, and does not show emotions or opinions openly. His natural reserve made it hard to get close to him Despite her reserve, she was very well-liked by her colleagues
restraint	Applies when someone is holding back their actions, emotions, or thoughts, often implying control or moderation. He spoke with restraint, carefully choosing his words Her restraint in the argument was admirable
hesitation	Best used when someone is pausing or showing doubt before making a decision or taking an action. After a moment of hesitation, she accepted the job offer His hesitation to answer the question was obvious to everyone in the room
reluctance	Utilized when someone is unwilling or not eager to do something, often involving a sense of resistance. She showed great reluctance to volunteer for the project There was a palpable reluctance in his voice when he agreed to help

Examples of usage

She maintained a certain reticence about her past.
His reticence in the meeting made it difficult to gauge his true feelings.
I could sense a hint of reticence in her voice as she spoke about the topic.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

in behavior

The tendency to be silent or uncommunicative in social interactions.

Synonyms

quietness, reservedness, shyness, silence.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
reticence	This is often used to describe a person's reluctance to speak or share their thoughts, usually due to shyness or caution. It has a slightly negative or formal connotation. Her reticence to discuss her personal life was evident The manager's reticence in answering questions made the employees uneasy
silence	This is used to describe the complete absence of sound. It can also refer to a person's choice not to speak in a particular moment. The silence in the room was overwhelming Her silence in response to the question was telling
reservedness	This is best used to describe a person's tendency to keep their thoughts and feelings to themselves, often in social situations. It implies a deliberate choice to be discreet. His reservedness made him seem distant, but he was just careful about whom he trusted Despite her reservedness, she was very kind and thoughtful
quietness	This is used to describe an overall lack of noise or calm atmosphere. It can refer to the environment or a person's calm demeanor. The quietness of the library made it a perfect place to study Her quietness during the meeting was noticeable
shyness	This is used to describe a person's fear or discomfort in social situations. It is often associated with a lack of confidence and can have a gentle, empathetic tone. His shyness made it hard for him to make new friends She overcame her shyness to deliver a fantastic speech

Examples of usage

His reticence at the party made him seem aloof and unapproachable.
She overcame her reticence and started to engage more actively in conversations.
His reticence in group settings was often misunderstood as arrogance.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term comes from the Latin word 'reticentia', which means 'silence' or 'holding back'.
In English, it first appeared in the early 19th century, reflecting a growing cultural preference for restraint in communication.

Psychology

People who show reticence may be perceived as thoughtful or introspective, often weighing their words carefully before speaking.
Reticence can be a personality trait influenced by cultural backgrounds; in some societies, being reserved is seen as more polite than being outspoken.

Literature

Characters with reticence often add depth to stories, creating tension as readers wonder about their hidden thoughts and feelings.
Famous literary works frequently use reticent protagonists to explore themes of isolation and internal conflict.

Communication

In personal interactions, reticence can lead to misunderstandings, as others may misinterpret silence as disinterest or aloofness.
Effective communication often encourages balancing reticence with openness to foster connection and understanding.

Culture

Cultural contexts dictate the acceptability of reticence, with some cultures valuing open expression while others appreciate discretion and subtlety.
In professional settings, reticence can be strategic, where individuals prefer to listen and gather information before offering their perspectives.

Translations

Translations of the word "reticence" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reticência

🇮🇳 अल्पभाषिता

🇩🇪 Zurückhaltung

🇮🇩 kerahasiaan

🇺🇦 стриманість

🇵🇱 powściągliwość

🇯🇵 無口

🇫🇷 réticence

🇪🇸 reticencia

🇹🇷 suskunluk

🇰🇷 과묵

🇸🇦 تحفظ

🇨🇿 zdrženlivost

🇸🇰 zdrženlivosť

🇨🇳 沉默

🇸🇮 zadržanost

🇮🇸 þagmælska

🇰🇿 ұстамдылық

🇬🇪 თავშეკავებულობა

🇦🇿 susqunluq

🇲🇽 reticencia

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,079, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
20076 rippling
20077 blossomed
20078 oxygenation
20079 reticence
20080 businesslike
20081 squatting
20082 impacting
...